:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/41244712/456710266.0.jpg)
The Bengals played their worst game of the year on Sunday, losing 43-17 to the Patriots on Sunday Night Football. It comes as no surprise that the guys at PRo Football Focus gave he Bengals mostly poor grades across the board for their effort, or lack thereof.
That said, defensive end Wallace Gilberry had the best performance of any Bengal, and he was one of the few bright spots on defense.
Wallace Gilberry, DE: +3.8
Breakdown: There really was very little by way of a positive spin to take on this game from the Bengals and Gilberry was one of the few defensive players in particular to put in a creditable performance. Earning his highest single game grade since Week 15 of 2010 (+5.3 at St Louis) led both teams in pressures (five hurries) and trailed only Rey Maualuga for the team lead in stops with four.
Signature Play: Following A.J. Green’s fumble late in the second quarter, Gilberry came up with hurries on consecutive snaps at 00:30 and 00:24, the second forcing Brady to throw the ball away helping limit the damage to a short field goal.
Gilberry's efforts however could not mask one of the Bengal's biggest weaknesses: Their linebacker's ability to cover, particularly against tight ends.
Bengals Linebackers: -8.2 coverage grade
Breakdown: Tom Brady only passed off of play action six times on Monday night, last night though he tested the Bengals’ linebackers early and often particularly with play action. On 15 combined targets the trio of Vincent Rey, Emmanuel Lamur and Rey Maualuga surrendered 11 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a display that showed just how much they miss Vontaze Burfict.
Signature Stat: In the intermediate and short zones the Bengals surrendered 12-of-16 for 209 yards and two touchdowns to Tom Brady.
As for other grades, Andrew Whitworth (1.3) and Andy Dalton (1.2) were the only other notable positive grades.
Leon Hall had his worst game of the year (-4.1), highlighted by his team-high three missed tackles. Emmanuel Lamur's -5.0 grade was the worst mark of his career.